A while back on twitter I had a wonderful conversation with a few different creators about the idea of webcomic authors having sandboxes (settings) that are open for other creators to play in. For example, I am always working on documentation and background information for Cosmic Dash which allows people to explore a realized-setting, which has lead to one currently updating series of stories, and a possible second, as the creator just sent me a first chapter of his story to review. I am open to derivative works, but I am also more than happy to do collaborative ones, in addition to bringing in such works into the larger canon, thus making Cosmic Dash a sandbox webcomic.

Long story short, I decided to put together a wiki for the The Network of Open Source Creative Original Works, or NOSCOW, that is meant to be a directory of creators who have sandbox comics, in addition to a listing of "open source" characters and Public Domain/Orphaned Works. I decided that I would post this here at SpiderForest for a couple of reasons, firstly, we have some great works here, as well as talented creators who are likely open to people working within their sandboxes. Secondly, this project will likely need to be moderated and I would prefer to pull assistants and editor from a pool of people who I know are trustworthy. I'd very much like to make this an extension of the SpiderForest brand, if possible.

I want to emphasize that being on this list as a creator is in no way making your characters or settings open to anything you find disagreeable, as this is merely a contact list. Within your entry you can specify limitations such as whether you are okay with derivative works, for profit usage, or other such stuff. Take a look at the entries to see what I mean. We have Cosmic Dash and The Demon Archives already listed, for example. Also, we have Kota's other comic, The Errant Apprentice as well.

As stated earlier, I’ve divided the list into three categories: Sandbox Webcomics (the original concept of the list), open-source characters, and public domain/orphaned works. Sandbox Webcomics are my priority when it comes to this and there are already a few SpiderFriends on the list, so if you want to be added, please submit your entry in a format that reflects the format of the list, as it makes it easier for me. Please include all relevant links as well. Open Source characters are characters created by individuals and groups who are designed to pop up in different worlds, such as Jenny Everywhere. If you are contributing a character please remember there is no hard format to this information, just communicate whatever you need to about how they can be used by other creators. Public domain/orphaned works characters are creations that are available for anyone to play around with and are not necessarily owned by anyone.

Because I have set up a wiki for the project, you are welcome to add your own entries there. Remember that it is not anonymous, so you will need a Wikia account. Also, because I am haunting these very forums, you can just have me add your entry. Just post it here and give me all the relevant information.

Kevin Hayman | The Errant ApprenticeSynopsis: On an alternate Earth where the Catholic Church never lost power, magic returned to man in 1975 and with it the creatures of myth and legen. Since then, a new order of knights has emerged to protect society from the more dangerous of these "Fantastics". Most of the Order of St. George are little more than biker gangs with a place above the law. Few stand for the ideals of justice and good. One of those is Terry Lingal, the Errant Apprentice.

Seeking: Prose and comics in short story format to flesh out the world of the Errant Apprentice and make the world feel more lived in.

Providing: Source material on the world, society, characters, and the various factions that have risen in PDF format. I will also answer any questions you may have!

Hello everyone, quick update, the project is now a wiki and is now referred to as NOSCOW, or the Network of Open Source Creative Original Works. Please read the original post which has been edited and updated.